I'm not nuts!

Ok, well, maybe that's too strong of a statement....How about, "I'm not nuts about my leg being numb." Yes, that's much better!

I finally, FINALLY got some answers today. I went and saw the neurologist that ordered my MRI. He got the results, and sure as heck, there is a problem. Actually two problems. Do I sound happy? I don't mean to, but I have to admit, I was so relieved that he actually saw SOMETHING going on to explain why my silly leg has been number for nearly 7 weeks! I have a slipped disc (between L4 & L5), and a bulging disc (between L5 & S1). A bulging what? Yeah, a disc in my lower back. It's bulging out and pressing on the nerve that goes down the back of my leg. Viola! Pressure on the nerve = numbness, and I'm not loosing my mind! Whoop! Whoop!

Ok, so now what, right? He offered me medication for the pain. There is no pain. Hello, that's the problem, remember, I can't feel anything on the back of my leg! He asked if my leg was weak? Well, yes, but how weak do you mean? Could I walk in another 60 mile walk right now, heck no! Can I walk around the block without an issue, absolutely. After a mile or two, it does start to feel weak, but is that the "weak" he talking about? Heck, I don't know...

What's the next step? Great question. He's not suggesting anything right now, other than some over the counter ant-inflamitories, no lifting anything heavy, and taking it easy...Yeah, like that will happen. He does say that surgery is an option that we may want to look into down the road a bit. If, you know, my leg starts getting weak....

Thankful for Borrowed Time

In September of 2007 we got some new neighbors. A young family moved in across the street, they had a young daughter, two sweet dogs, a Mom (we'll call her "C") and a Dad. Right off the bat it was easy to see that Mom ("C") was pregnant. They were very nice people, tolerant of the Halloween craziness that always happens at our house at the end of October, and just all around very pleasant neighbors.

At the end of February 2008, "C" had her baby. It had been a normal pregnancy, with no complications, and no reasons to worry. Unfortunately, the birth itself didn't go as planned. There were complications, and problems. Big problems. The baby was starved of oxygen to her brain during the birth process. "C"s baby girl Finnley was born, and although she was alive, she was declared brain dead. The doctors told "C" that her baby only had a couple of days to live.

"C" and her husband were shocked and heartbroken. All of their plans for their future came crashing in. The dress they'd bought for Finnley's Baptism would now be the dress they would bury her in. Their family came to town from all over the country to offer support and the help they would need in the future days and weeks.

After a few days in the hospital, Finnley was stable enough to bring home. "C" and her husband brought their sweet, beautiful baby girl home with them, knowing it would only be for a short time that they were able to shower their love on her, and enjoy the essence of her being. They hired a professional photographer to come to the house to take family pictures, they spent every moment holding her, loving her, and praying for her. They asked the members of their church to pray for Finnley, their neighbors, and everyone they could reach. Pray for a miracle.

Those few days went by...and they turned into a few weeks. Finnley was eating, sleeping, crying, pooping. Everything a newborn baby is supposed to do. The doctors told "C" and her husband that those were involuntary things, not to get their hopes up, that this sweet baby's body just hadn't given up yet.

More weeks turned into months. "C" insisted that they do the tests again. Check the brain activity, see if maybe, somehow, there had been a mistake. They tested again. The results were the same. There was little, if any, brain activity. Yet, "C" had the proof in her hands. Finnley was able to smile,track with her eyes, hear Mommy's voice and respond to it. How could this baby be brain dead? The doctors couldn't explain it. Still can't.

More time went by, more prayers were offered, and more little miracles happened. Finnley wasn't able to do most things that babies of her age were able to do, but each and every day they shared with her was a miracle.

This past Saturday, the neighbors and the friends got together with the family in the park. We came together to celebrate a year of miracles. Sweet baby Finnley had her first birthday! I don't think any of us actually ever thought we'd see this happen. It was wonderful, and touching, and an occasion to celebrate every day, every moment.

Don't let a day go by that you don't appreciate. No matter what situation you are in, it can always, always be worse. Each and everyone one of us is living on borrowed time. Be thankful for every day you are given. I know Finnley's family is thankful for everyday they have with her.

Warm Enough

Kona was lounging in the sun earlier today, and seemed to be soaking up the warm rays.

After a bit, it actually got so warm that it seemed (gasp) HOT! Well, OK, maybe not really hot hot, but you know, surely warm enough to go in the pool. At least the dogs thought so. The air was in the mid 80's and the pool was a semi-comfortable 72F. Sure beats the heck out of the 56F the water was a couple of weeks ago when we had all that rain, and wind.

I'd been waiting for a good chance to play with the new camera (an Olympus Stylus 1050SW) Hubby got me for Christmas, and this was the perfect opportunity. This isn't a camera to replace my beloved Nikon, but something to use in addition to it. This new little toy is water proof, and can even take video underwater. Here are a couple of my clips from today. Not bad for not actually being in the water with the pups. (Hey, I said the water was warm enough for them, not me!) Here is Kookie Kona, trying to get at the warm water coming from the solar return....

Jill brings the ball in, Jack snags it, and Kona gets kookie again.

Harley up close and personal.

After a good swim, everyone needs a healthy little snack! Here I am sharing an apple with Harley, Jack, Kona and Jill (you can't see Jill, but she is sitting in the water in front of me...just her nose is barely visible.)

The Youth of America Hard at Work...

...TP'ing our yard and cars.
Isn't it funny how things go sometimes? A friend of mine is getting ready to move into a house for rent across the street. Just yesterday morning we were chatting about the neighborhood - how it is a nice little area, very quiet, very little drama, other than maybe the occasional stolen car...and basically a great place to live.

Fast forward to 12:11am this morning. Hubby and I are settled quietly into bed, watching Letterman and snuggling with Kona and Harley. Everyone is starting to doze and suddenly a noise brings the whole house into action. What I found out a few minutes later but didn't realize at the time was the sound was the doorbell. What I heard sounded like a tornado warning horn - or something similar, and turned out to be Jack howling loudly in a confused response to the unexpected door bell. The pups all went a bit crazy barking and running back and forth in the hallway, making sure we were all awake (which we were). Hubby flew to the door, whipped it open, and found that we'd been TP'd. Not a very good job of it either, I must say, (obviously amateurs-with very little experience...)

Other than the obvious clean up mess, there was no harm done. As Hubby said while we were cleaning, it was all in good, clean fun. We had the mess picked up in less time that it probably took them to do it.

Now here is the best part. Some time ago, we'd had something stolen out of our front yard. It was a small, insignificant sign, but it really bothered Hubby that someone would take something of his. (This was long before the stolen car incident...) So, Hubby did what hubbys do...he went to Costco and spent a ton of money on a surveillance system.

Yup, cameras up on the outside of our house, covering pretty much every square inch of the front lawn, driveway, and sidewalk. They are on all the time. ALL THE TIME.

Sooooo, when we got the TP cleaned up, we walked in, plopped down at the computer, and basically hit rewind. Ain't technology grand sometimes?

Pickle knew the boys, each and everyone one of them. All classmates of hers. One of them had a birthday party yesterday evening. I'm figuring we must have been the after party.

"Smile you're on candid camera," Matt, Pete, Kyle, Pat, we know who you are, we saw what you did, and we've got it on video.

Don't come messing around here no more...

In Full Bloom

I have many different talents (thank you, thank you very much), but gardening has never been one of them. When we first moved into our house, long before we got our pool put in I did give it a good college try, but it was always a struggle to keep my blooming beauties alive.

I wouldn't say that I have anything even remotely resembling a green thumb. We have Easy Turf in our backyard, lots of palms that require little care, a rather small front yard that Hubby keeps well groomed, and a couple of other little plants here and there.

Nearly two years ago when I had surgery on my ankle (a nasty little bone spur that was cutting into my Achilles tendon had to be removed and my Achilles repaired...fun fun) a neighbor gave me an Orchid. It was a lovely little plant with gorgeous dark pink blooms. I loved it, and almost felt bad that it was coming into my care, with my track record of killing plants and all. Well, ladies and gentlemen, drum roll please....I haven't killed this one (yet)! I've been as careful as I could be with this little baby, and I'm so pleased to say that it has survived 23 1/2 months in my care, and is currently in full bloom! What a hearty little thing this one must be!

Maybe the tide is turning on my plant killing days...last summer, while we were at the County Fair, I bought a Plumeria or two (they still look like sticks in pots right now..) and was given a couple of bulbs. I didn't think much of them, but threw them in a pot with some dirt and forgot about them. Well, low and behold, over the last couple of months the darn thing sprouted and became a gorgeous lily of some type.

Not bad for a girl with a brown thumb, huh?

Pooch Party

This past weekend we were invited to a birthday party for one of our pooch pals. Our friend Cori was turning 6, and after a year of dealing with some tough health issues it was time to celebrate. We'd never been to a "real" birthday party for a pooch pal before, complete with a doggie birthday cake, party favors, hats and games. We had a blast!!

It's a Show Dog's Life...

...but not for us.

I had a great time this past weekend, walking around the Silver Bay Kennel Club Dog Show at the beautiful Del Mar Fairgrounds, but as I looked around at all of the perfectly groomed dogs, I realized that its not a life I would want for my dogs. At least the "show" part.

I went early Sunday morning to see the judging of the Goldens, and I have to say they did look absolutely gorgeous, stately, even regal. But not particularly happy. They sat quietly on their grooming tables or in their kennels waiting patiently for their turn to dazzle the judges with their perfectly coiffed ears and tails, and silky smooth coats with feathers flowing in the wind. Yes, they were beautiful indeed.

But they didn't look like they were having fun. I couldn't imagine any of these beauties romping in a dog park, rolling in the sand, or wrestling in the mud with a buddy. I couldn't imagine keeping my furbabies from rough-housing and getting all slobbery and having fun. But that's just me. I'm sure that many of those dogs do lead a "normal" dog life of ruff and tumble fun, and that some people can balance that kind of stuff...I'm just not one of them. (But then again, as beautiful as I believe my two daughters are, I would never, ever have considered entering them in any beauty pageants when they were little...it's just not my "thing")

Now, the agility trails were a different story all together. Those dogs, although not as "pristine" as the "show" dogs, looked like they were having a BLAST! Everyone of them was eager to run the courses, and seemed to be beaming as they maneuvered through the weave poles, launched over the jumps and flew through the tunnels. Yup, now those were some happy dogs!